FdL judges will address guns in court

Apr. 25, 2012

Written by

Russell Plummer

The Reporter

Fond du Lac County Circuit Court judges will decide next month if guns will be allowed in their courtrooms.

The issue arose in February after The Reporter received a tip that Fond du Lac County District Attorney Dan Kaminsky was carrying a concealed weapon in the courthouse. Kaminsky declined to comment for that story. Prosecutors in Dodge and Sheboygan counties told The Reporter they do not allow or need to carry weapons in court.

It is legal for Kaminsky to carry a concealed weapon.

Wisconsin's concealed carry law allows judges and prosecutors with a concealed carry permit to have a weapon in courtrooms. The public is not allowed to carry weapons in the Fond du Lac City County Government Center, which houses circuit courtrooms on its second floor.

Judge Peter Grimm said the topic was on the agenda during a prior judges' meeting but was tabled because a judge could not attend.

"We want all of the judges present," Grimm said.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office is tasked with supplying courtroom security. Sheriff Mick Fink said in February that no one from the DA's Office had notified his office that they were carrying a concealed weapon.

Judge Robert Wirtz said he does not know if Kaminsky is or was carrying a handgun.

Wirtz said judges are only discussing what to do about weapons in the courtroom. Members of the DA's office could carry weapons in the building regardless of how the judges vote, he said. The meeting in late May will address whether judges and prosecutors will be allowed to have a firearm in court.

"We've had a couple meetings in which we discussed the issue about what to do, if anything, (about guns in court)," Wirtz said. "I put it on as an agenda item."